Davidson Day Community Podcast

Head of School Andrew Bishop is joined by Learning Enrichment Coordinator Anne McGraw to talk about Davidson Day's Learning Enrichment Center, the new Middle School executive functioning course and tips for instilling executive functioning skills in students.

Head of School Andrew Bishop sits down with Charlotte FBI Field Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge and Davidson Day parent Beth Boggess to discuss the best practices for keeping your kids safe online and how to talk to your kids about digital safety.

Head of School Andrew Bishop is joined by New York Times best-selling author Rosalind Wiseman for a conversation about respect, dignity, the mentor mindset, and equipping our students with an emotional toolkit to succeed after graduation.

On this episode of the Davidson Day School Community Podcast, Head of School Andrew Bishop sits down for a conversation with the five seniors on the Varsity Volleyball Team. They discuss what they want their legacy to be, what it's like to be a student-athlete at Davidson Day, and how Coach Glass fosters excellence, teamwork, and bridge-building.

On this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, siblings Holden Perry '21, Chase Perry '24, and Kipenzi Perry '26 sit down with Head of School Andrew Bishop to talk about their Davidson Day experience, what makes our school special, and how Davidson Day prepares you for life after graduation.

Head of School Andrew Bishop sits down with Director of College Counseling Tia Hill for a conversation about the college placement process at Davidson Day School, why "best fit" matters more than choosing the "best schools," and more!

Kicking off season 5 of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Andrew Bishop sits down with New York Times bestselling author Jessica Lahey to explore the key insights from her book The Gift of Failure. Jessica discusses how embracing failure can help children develop resilience, independence, and a growth mindset, and how parents can support this process by fostering a balance between guidance and letting their kids take ownership of their learning. Enjoy this terrific conversation!

In this must-listen episode of Davidson Day's Community Podcast, hosts Shiley and JT talk with DDS Lifer and graduating senior Hunter Justice and Incoming Head of School Andrew Bishop. They discuss what makes this community special, how to maintain our community connection during transition, and Hunter turns the tables to ask the adults what they think makes DDS stand out.

On this episode of Davidson Day's Community Podcast, hosts Shiley and JT sit down with Coach James Long and three student-athletes from our state champion varsity boys basketball team, Mason Smith ('24), Anthony Rogers ('25), and Zay Denis ('25). Learn about #CARES, how this team brought home the state championship, and what this community means to them.

On this episode of Davidson Day's Community Podcast, hosts Shiley and JT sit down with the editors of Untold Stories of DDS, Upper School English teacher Steve McGill, and student Jillian Toya, Class of 2024. The community newsletter shares a goal with this podcast: to shine a light on the students, faculty, and staff that make this school a remarkable place!

Davidson Day Community Podcast hosts Jen Shiley and JT catch up with five very energetic third graders to learn more about their recent community service food drive benefitting Ada Jenkins Center, as well as share their thoughts on third-grade life. Buckle up and tune in!

Fresh from their conference championship win, four of our Davidson Day middle school volleyball players talk about the importance of teamwork and team building, and they share what they love most about Davidson Day School.

On the verge of starting their freshman year of college, these four alumni from the Class of 2023 talk about how Davidson Day prepared them for this moment, what they love about their high school alma mater, and what they miss most about the Davidson Day community.

Omar Caldwell, a graduate of the Class of 2011, is currently the Vice President & Enterprise Data Risk Specialist at Bank of America in Charlotte. During our conversation, Omar recounts his time at Davidson Day while sharing his personal and professional journey over the last decade.

Davidson Day hosted an outstanding Community Engagement Summit on February 8, spotlighting non-profit and industry leaders locally who are making a difference in the Greater Charlotte community. Our Community Engagement Committee comprised mostly of students and led by Director of Community Engagement Jenn Shiley, thoroughly planned and executed a successful event and introduced our new Community Engagement initiative and its vision to deepen students' connections in their communities through leadership and service. Head of School Pete Moore sat down with members from our Community Engagement Committee to discuss this new program at Davidson Day.

An alumnus of Lehigh University, David Holden has had a unique career that started with automotive racing, and now is the president of MSI Solution in Mooresville, NC. We invite you to listen to his story as he talks us through how his childhood passions in engineering evolved and shaped his career journey.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Maria Howell, singer, actress, and the latest addition to the Music program, here at Davidson Day. Maria teaches our schools first ever Middle School Chorus and co-leads our Upper School Contemporary Ensemble with Noel Friedline. Maria walks us through her journey from singing at her childhood church in Gastonia North Carolina, to appearing in films and traveling abroad to perform musically.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School, Pete Moore, has a wide-ranging conversation with Davidson Day Parent Ted Flinter. Ted, a New York native, has traveled extensively around the world during his time with the United States Marine Corps. as a graduate student at Harvard University and staff member of the United Nations.

We are proud to launch our newest season! In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, the tables have turned quite a bit. Davidson Day alumni; Aaron Barton and Cooper Ferguson from the Class of 2021, actually interviewed Head of School, Pete Moore, for their own podcast, Ordinary Guys and their Ordinary Thoughts, and they had such a great conversation we decided to feature it here! They discussed Pete's transition to Davidson Day as Head of School, guiding the school through the pandemic, and more.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Davidson Day parent Erin Evernham. Erin is race car driver, a TV commentator, and a host of Winged Nation on the Motor Racing Network. In 2003, Erin became the first woman to qualify for the famed Knoxville Nationals, and in 2004, she became the only female winner in the history of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. In 2005, she moved to North Carolina and raced stock cars for several years.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Davidson Day parent Kirk Blanchette. Kirk is the CFO and VP of Strategy at Huber Engineered Woods. Kirk has two children at Davidson Day, and he is on our board of trustees for which he chairs our finance committee.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Lexi Justice and Cameron Baker. Lexi and Cameron are seniors at Davidson Day and will graduate in May 2022. They are remarkable young people who care a lot about others and about making Davidson Day a better place. They are co-presidents of Davidson Day's Student Diversity Council, members of the school's diversity advisory committee, and hosts of the DDS Diversity Council Podcast which you can find on Spotify.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Davidson Day parent Holly Paeper. This past summer she became chair of Davidson Day's board of trustees. Holly is an executive at Trane Technologies where she was recently promoted to president of Life Science Solutions. Holly is a remarkable leader and was named Enterprize Woman of the Year in 2019.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Steve McGill. Steve began teaching Upper School English at Davidson Day in 2015 and soon become a beloved member of our school community. In 2020 Steve was instrumental in forming our school's student diversity council where he has empowered our students to make positive change at Davidson Day and beyond. Steve is also a successful hurdling coach and published author.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Bob Hallman. Bob is a principal at Deloitte Consulting where he is a leader in Deloitte's Power, Utilities & Renewables sector. Bob has four children at Davidson Day and is one of the newest members of our board of trustees where he chairs our board technology committee.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Davidson Day parent Camille Harper. Camille works in human resource management for Wells Fargo, and she has had a fascinating career facilitating change and helping others reach their potential. In this podcast interview, Camille shares her advice about managing personal and organizational change.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Mike Sass. Mike is a retired superintendent of schools in Illinois. He worked his way up from teacher to school leader, and in the process earned his doctorate in education. Mike is also the founder and president of Catalyst Academy. Mike's granddaughters, Charlotte and Kennedy attend Davidson Day, and he is one of the newest members of our board of trustees. In this podcast interview, Mike chats with Pete Moore about school leadership and service to others.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Patriot Alumna Mallorie Haines. Mallorie graduated in 2021 and is now a freshman at Davidson College where she is a member of the Wildcats Divison I women's basketball team. She won three state championships in basketball and one in volleyball while at Davidson Day. In this podcast interview, Mallorie chats with Pete Moore about her journey toward becoming a Division I athlete, how her family influenced her, and how Davidson Day prepared her for Davidson College.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Steve Manna, who joined our school this past year as a 7th/8th grade History and English teacher. Prior to becoming a Patriot, Steve spent twelve years at Forsyth Country Day School, where he served in several administrator positions as well as taught and coached golf. Prior to starting his work in independent schools, Steve earned a B.A. in Psychology at Wake University and an M.A. in General Psychology at University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In this podcast interview, Steve chats with Pete Moore about his upbringing and career in independent schools and how strong culture sparks positive outcomes in classrooms as well as organizations.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Joanna Gerdy, who teaches middle and upper school theatre arts and directs Davidson Day’s vibrant and award-winning Theatre program. While interested in theatre in college, Joanna graduated with a political science degree and worked as a research analyst for the state legislature in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She later followed where the universe guided her, moving to Charlotte to work as an actor, director, and theatre teacher at the Children’s Theater of Charlotte. Joanna joined Davidson Day in 2007 when our current campus opened. Over the past 13 years, Joanna has directed 8-12 performances each school year and helped our student-actors explore the human experience through theatre.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Tiffani Thomas, who teaches middle school art and upper school journalism as well as serves as the faculty advisor and lead for the Davidson Day School award-winning yearbook. Tiffani is a fabulous, creative artist with an amazing story and inspiring perspective on teaching, the cycles of life, and the importance of tiny moments. Enjoy this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast!

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Randy Baker. Randy, parent of current Patriot Cameron ‘22 and Patriot alumnus Charli ‘15, grew up in Wilson, North Carolina, where he attended local public schools and began his working career by working in a tobacco field during the summers. Now, Randy is the founder and CEO of MedCall Advisors, a Tele-Emergency medical provider that delivers immediate interventions for acute medical events including injury and illness, which also adapted to provide critical services to employers relating to COVID-19 at the outset of the global pandemic. Beyond his role as a parent and CEO and founder of a company, Randy serves on the Advisory Board for a local nonprofit working to reduce situational homelessness and serves on the Davidson Day Health Advisory Board.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Tia Hill and Caitlin Barndt. Tia Hill is our Director of College Counseling, and Caitlin Barndt is our College Counseling Associate and Admission Associate. Tia started at Davidson Day in 2013, and Caitlin joined our community in 2016. Both Tia and Caitlin a depth of experience in working in college admissions at Furman University and Queens University of Charlotte, prior to joining the team at Davidson Day. From this prior work, and their current expertise in building relationships and meaningful connections with college and university admission representatives, Tia and Caitlin know exactly how college admission offices sift through applications and evaluate candidates, and exactly what colleges want: a well-rounded student body.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Patriot Alumnus Jason Chinuntdet. Throughout this episode Jason, who now works at Gartner as an HR Advisory Specialist, chats with Pete about organizational culture, change management, and Jason’s transition from Davidson Day to college, career, and beyond. Jason graduated from Davidson Day with the Class of 2013, having participated in four international research trips through the AFAR Program at Davidson Day and every Davidson Day School Theatre production between his sixth-grade year and his final semester. After graduating as a Patriot, Jason enrolled at Wake Forest University where he earned a double major in anthropology and philosophy and a minor in entrepreneurship.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews parent Takila Williams. Takila shares how perseverance and pursuit of purpose-driven goals led to a fulfilling and rewarding dream of winning a professional cheerleading job and how those same principles applied to growing an entrepreneurial and exceptional career in sales, starting in pest control and, later, in pharmaceutical sales. Today, in addition to being the parent of a Patriot, Takila shares inspirational messages and lessons via an Instagram channel, beyond her accomplished professional career serving customers through selling products that matter.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews School Counselor Jessica Thompson. Jessica earned a Master of the Arts in professional counseling from Liberty University and is currently completing a Doctorate in Community Counseling. She’s worked with a wide range of families and young people as a counselor and therapist, and beyond her impressive career as a counselor, Jessica is a former competitive dancer and current dance instructor who works with children from two years old through 12th Grade. In this episode, Jessica discusses the difference between worry, stress, and anxiety, suggests how parents can help their children navigate normal social pain, and shares actionable tips that parents can take and put into practice this week to cultivate a nurturing, healthy family environment that allows children to foster resilience and navigate periods of high stress.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Head of School Pete Moore interviews Upper School Music Teacher and Award-Winning Jazz Musician Noel Freidline in what might best be called "a good hang." Noel shares how his passion for music developed, and how he got started as a professional musician, and his later decision to stop touring with his award-winning band. Mr. Moore and Mr. Freidline discuss the importance of teaching students to be vulnerable and to make big mistakes, and how learning improvisational jazz can help inspire creative potential. Freidline also discusses the importance of collaboration, and the interplay of leadership, in music and beyond, then answers rapid-fire questions from Mr. Moore.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Mr. Pete Moore interviews Karen Coughlan, the school's security officer. Prior to joining Davidson Day, Karen served as a police officer for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) after a career as a human intelligence collector for the U.S. Army. Karen discusses how parents and children can collaborate to keep everyone in the family safe and secure, shares what it is like to serve in the U.S. Army and as a police officer, and answers rapid-fire questions.

In this episode of the Davidson Day Community Podcast, Mr. Pete Moore interviews Mr. Jamie McMurray. Jamie grew up in Joplin, MO, and shares stories about his childhood, including what it's like to witness tornados, his first job, and how and why he got started racing cars. Jamie would become a professional race car driver, and after a period of uncertainty about his career, would win the Daytona 500. Jamie shares how he harnessed his natural tendency as a planner and a worrier to change his mindset to focus on the daily effort to improve through his own hard work and dedication. Jamie is a Davidson Day parent and a member of the Board of Trustees, as well as the founder of the Jamie McMurray Foundation. After retiring from NASCAR, he is now an analyst for Fox NASCAR.

Mr. Pete Moore, Head of School, interviews the Davidson Day School Chair of the Board of Trustees, Renée Brown. Renée shares three characteristics that great leaders possess--learning, listening, and life management--and discusses the importance of building diverse teams within organizations.

Pete Moore interviews Ron Johnson, Davidson Day Athletic Director and Head Coach of the 2019-2020 NCISAA 2-A Private State Champion Patriots Boys Varsity Basketball Team, about sport and athletics, transitioning to a college environment, the importance of diversity in schools, and a guiding philosophy best summarized as "becoming the best at getting better."

Pete Moore interviews Mat Saunders, who teaches archaeology in the Davidson Day Upper School and founded American Foreign Academic Research (AFAR), about innovation, determination, and going beyond the known to discover the unknown.